|
With the saviour of mankind Nick Andros, the guide of Abagail Freemantle battling the evil of the superhuman Randall Flagg
The Stand, which is commonly deemed as King's most popular novel, is a story of Biblical proportions; after a government-made virus mows down majority of the human race, the few survivors must band together in order to survive. With visually stunning interiors from Eisner-nominated artist, Mike Perkins (Captain America, House of M: Avengers), the human race is going make their last stand! Plus, a mind blowing, sketch variant from acclaimed artist Lee Bermejo and the first of five connecting variant covers from Perkins!
"Captain Trips" takes place over nineteen days, with the escape and spread of a human-made biological weapon, a superflu (influenza) virus known formally as "Project Blue" and colloquially as "Captain Trips." The epidemic leads to the death of most of the human population in North America (and the world: it is hinted that General Starkey’s men had released the virus in eastern Europe, China, and the Soviet Union; and Peru and Senegal are mentioned in discussion of post-epidemic deaths due to natural causes).
99.4% of people are susceptible to Captain Trips, and the disease has a mortality rate of 100%. King outlines the total breakdown and destruction of society through widespread violence, the failure of martial law to contain the outbreak, and eventually the death of virtually the entire population. The human toll is also dealt with, as the few survivors must care for their families and friends, dealing with confusion and grief as their loved ones ultimately succumb to the flu, which has inexplicably spared them.
Intertwining cross-country odysseys are undertaken by a small number of survivors who are drawn together by their shared dreams of a 108-year-old black woman from Hemingford Home, Nebraska, whom they see as a refuge and a representation of good in the struggle of good versus evil. This woman, Abagail Freemantle (known as "Mother Abagail"), becomes the spiritual leader of this group of survivors, directing them to Boulder, Colorado.
Meanwhile, another group of survivors are drawn to Las Vegas, Nevada by Randall Flagg (known as "the Dark Man," "the Hardcase," "the Tall Man," and "the Walkin’ Dude"), an evil being with supernatural powers; he represents the evil, opposite side of Mother Abagail's survivors. Flagg’s rule is tyrannical and brutal, using crucifixion, torture and other torments as punishment for those who are disloyal and disobedient.
|
